October 2002 FAQ

FAQ: Our firm can continually solve tough technical problems with our products…but we don’t seem to be able to produce a change in our organization without a lot of confusion, wasted resources and false starts. What gives?

Answer: To quote Tiger Woods, there may be “a million reasons” why things aren’t working out for your firm in the arena of organizational change. Your answer might come when you answer the following questions about your firm’s attempt to make organizational change happen. 

• How does the level of intensity of problem solving and decision making compare between the last big technical problem your firm solved and the last organizational change your firm attempted?
• How does the level of sheer “brain power” compare between that applied to technical problem solution versus the organizational change?
• How does the “level of detail” in planning compare between the technical problem solving and the organization change attempt?

Our bet is that your firm does not tackle organizational change problems with the same level of intensity, brain power, or detail that it uses for technical problem. If that is the case, you clearly have the needed skills to do a better job on organizational change; maybe what you need is a new attitude and mindset to be able to bring in an organizational change on target, on time, and on budget.  Good luck!

Dutch Holland, CEO of HDI, has worked as a management consultant for 30 years, helping organizations and leaders manage and implement change successfully. And if you enjoyed this short article, you'll love his new book, Red Zone Management: Changing the Rules for Pivotal Times (Dearborn Trade, Chicago, Fall 2001). Check your local bookstores or read a review at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com! Contact Dutch at 713.877.8130.

If you have a question you would like to have addressed in the coming months, please give us your suggestions or comments on our guestbook.